Welcome to the archive of the John Barleycorn blog, produced by Howard Gayton and Rex Van Ryn during the process of creating their graphic novel John Barleycorn Must Die. As part of that process, you'll find discussions of magic, of creativity, and 'Around the Table' discussions with a range of internationally known artists, writers and film makers. The graphic novel was printed in a limited edition, so if you managed to get one, good for you! Although this project is over now, we're leaving this blog online as an archive and as a snap shot in time.

Friday, 4 November 2011

Coincidence or Zeitgeist? You decide! Part 3

H - Well, Rex!

R - Yes, indeed, Howard, well!

H - After our sojourn chatting around the table with Alan over the past two weeks, we are returning, like dogs to a bone, to our ever increasing obsession with coincidence! We hadn't planned to...

R - That's true.

H - But....

R - But there has been such an avalanche of coincidences/synchronicities over the past few weeks that I am starting to think that maybe Barry Manilow was right: "Could this be magic, now?"

H - I had a very interesting discussion about coincidence and synchronicity last weekend with Dis, the co-publisher of Hadean Press. Dis mentioned that in esoteric thought, this repetition of coincidences is known as the Golden Thread, and can be viewed as an indicator that one is on the right path.

R - ...As distinct from the Silver Thread, which keeps you attached to your body when you are travelling on the astral plane.

H - ...Or the Copper Thread, which is used to conduct electricity.

R - ...Or the lead sheets that people pinch from church roofs and turn into gold.

H - Over three months ago, Rex, you drew the page below as part of a spread for the very last scene of our book. As readers can see, the 'camera' is pulling back from St. Paul's Cathedral to a small sapling. In our story, the sapling is of great symbolic significance. It represents a re-imagined, transformative process. Little did we know at the time that St. Paul's would it itself become so topical a symbol around precisely these issues!

R - Incidentally, the price of gold is at an all time high. Does anybody want to buy any lead?

AROUND THE TABLE WITH:

These posts are our chats, over coffee and croissants, with various interesting people that we were lucky enough to sit 'around the table with.' So pull up a chair, help yourself to pain-au-chocolat, and join us as we talk with...

Alan Lee -Oscar-winning production designer of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

Nostalgia!

ABOUT THE NOVEL:

A 238 page metaphysical mystery.

The magician-sleuth John Barleycorn is charged by a mysterious woman to protect a young girl from a sinister fraternity known as The Kingdom. In doing so, he is forced to undertake a quest into the darkest reaches of his mind as he races against time to prevent 'Sky-fall,' and the enslavement of humanity.

Howard Gayton:

writer

I studied drama at Exeter University in Devon, then co-founded the Commedia Dell 'Arte company Ophaboom Theatre. The following twenty years were spent writing, directing and performing shows throughout Europe, wearing masks, tights, and funny wigs. In my forties, I returned to Exeter University to study the history of Western Esotericism. I now live at the edge of Dartmoor with my wife, Terri Windling, and our dog Tilly.

Rex Van Ryn:

Magician Occult Artist

For many years, Rex studied and honed his considerable mystical knowledge, through hands-on experience as well as academia. He literally flew sailed and motored around the world, working with the bare hands healers of the Philippines, the Shamans of the Peruvian jungles, Mobos and Houngans of Luisiana and the Sami peoples of Scandinavia to name but a few.

Read the full story by clicking on the drawing above.

Contact:

www.rexvanryn.com

We respectfully point out that all original art and text on this page is under copyright by the individual artists and writers and appears here with their permission.